Government pushes Liberals to back $10bn EU trade deal against Nationals
Cabinet minister Tim Ayres urges Opposition Leader Angus Taylor to back the $10bn EU free trade deal Nationals leader Matt Canavan plans to block.
A senior government minister called on Opposition Leader Angus Taylor to stand firm on the European Union free trade deal worth $10 billion a year. Nationals leader Matt Canavan says it fails farmers and risks Australian sanctions if the country misses climate targets.
But most business groups have backed the agreement, which took a decade to negotiate and was finalised in March. Cabinet minister Tim Ayres said the free trade agreement is a test of Taylor's economic leadership.
The deal secures market access for 450 million Europeans, with Australian beef quotas of 35,000 tonnes (an eight-fold increase on current levels) and sheep meat at just under 31,000 tonnes (up from 5,800 tonnes).
Coalition frontbencher Sarah Henderson said the Liberals want fairer terms for beef and dairy. If the Coalition blocks it, it would be the first free trade agreement in Australian history not to pass parliament.
- $10 billion
- Deal value annually
- 10 years
- Years to negotiate
- 35,000 tonnes
- Australian beef quota increase
- Just under 31,000 tonnes
- Sheep meat quota
Why it mattersA free trade deal that took ten years to secure could fail in parliament, signalling a shift in how Australia handles trade agreements.
AustraliaIf the deal is blocked, Australian beef and sheep farmers lose access to a 450-million-person market; small businesses hoping to export face uncertainty.
Corroborated byabc.net.au
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
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